Need more info prior to purchasing
G'day guy's,
I've been into 4WD'ing for a few years now and I have a strange biased to smaller "underdog" 4WD's. I currently have a '91 4 door Suzuki Vitara with a nice list of mods which makes it rather capable offroad, but the time has come to get something that is a bit newer, about the same size as my Vit but more comfortable for long distance touring and with just a touch more power to help tow my camper trailer. But as the title suggests I'm after a little more information on the Paj iO before I go ahead and buy one :)
I am familiar with Mitsu's 4G series engines, however while scouring this forum for info on suspention setups, parts interchangability which all tick the right box's for my needs, I thought the 4G93T from a GSR would be a common and easy conversion, That is until I read that the iO 4g93 has a different bellhousing pattern which is an inconvenient dampner on my plans. I know that the iO came out with a 4g93T but I'm certain they are very rare if not impossible to find.
So, besides going with the 4G94 / 93 DOHC Mivec head conversion, what is a suitable alternative to give the Paj some boost. Is it possible to make up an engine gearbox adapter to accept the oz delivered 93T? I understand the main issue then would be lining up the gearbox output shaft and starter motor may not mate up with the flywheel so I'm wondering if someone has overcome this.
The main reason I ask is not only because for the obvious power increase, but as it sits, Besides being 40mm shorter, the SWB 1.8 iO is almost exactly the same size as my LWB Vitara but will have the same sort of power/weight ratio. They both even share a similar fuel consumption figure, but the missus will only let me get an iO on the provision that it has a little more power than the Vitara and is just as capable. (yes she's wonderful)
So please help me decide on the right direction to take.
I have thought of the later
I have thought of the later model Vitara, but I don't see much point in selling then buying practically the same car. Besides the iO does look a little newer and my partner can't drive my vitara, Also I havn't read anywhere on here of people having issues with constantly breaking CV's, I'm an expert at replacing them on the Vitara.
.
Well the IO is certainly an underdog 4x4. So much so you wont find any aftermarket accessories for it, so expect to have to create your own. I dont think anyone on the forum has done an engine swap which is a pitty.
There has been one CV broken that I know of but that was due to too great of a lift, to be honest there doesn't seem to be many reports of the cars breaking down much. I abuse the crap out of mine and everything has held together.
Not that it sounds like you would be interested in the 1.6L version, but do stay away from it. I have found not only are parts hard to find for the engine in Australa ( and many other countries) but the are physical differences to the car (such as the rear diff) which are not listed in any of the service manuals!
The iO will become my
The iO will become my partner's car but of course I'll be having a little play with setting it up for touring and towing our camper trailer.
Ideally I would like to fit 31" tyres under it with the supporting suspention and diff drop mods, and give the engine a bit of a tweek to chug along the long highway stretches between campsites. I know that bullbars are not an off the shelf item but perhaps something can be grafted and modified to suit but still compliant with airbag laws. Otherwise a nudge bar will just have to do.
The 4g94 with DOHC mivec head is an option I have come across however the bang for buck value just isn't there. Could someone please tell me the gearbox code for the iO and Is it safe to presume that the 93 and 94 use the same gearbox?
You sound like a man after
You sound like a man after my own heart!
I also tend to like the "underdog" and chose the iO because it was almost unheard of but had everything i wanted in a blank canvas, Not that its not capable in standard form. I preferred the fact there was not much available off the shelf and id end up with something a little more unique, but as the others said that is also the down side if your not into doing things yourself.
The iO was also my only option in the end as the wife was not willing to sit in a Kia sportage. And now im happy about that.
I was planing on doing the lancer turbo engine swap until i learnt about the devastating news of the different bellhousing. the iO did come with a 1.8 Turbo GDI with more torque and power than the Lancer GSR engine, I have a friend in Japan i may get to find me one oneday. But i think the best options is to just rebuild another iO motor as a turbo.
Other than this i have not looked into the engine options much.
Where abouts are you located? let me guess, NSW or QLD like everyone else here hahaha, I need more Victorian iO drivers!
Camper trailer
If you're towing a camper trailer, perhaps you'd be better off with a full size swb pajero or a challenger. I tow a trailer occasionally with my swb iO and it struggles! One of the main issues is that the tow bar is so close to the rear wheels that there isn't much manouverability. I've almost wiped out cars, brick walls, bollards etc by driving forwards and turning and giving the widest berth possible in car parks etc, and the trailer cuts the corner nowhere near the car. In off road situations this could be more of a problem negotiating obstacles in tracks etc.
The tent and trailer fully
The tent and trailer fully loaded weighs a maximum of 350kg, I've extended the trailer's drawbar to help manouvarability and added a treg hitch to it also. I don't intend to do anything too difficult while towing the trailer, mainly dirt tracks and the occassional rutted sections typically found to get to some of the more excluded campsites.
I understand that either 1.8 or 2.0L engines may struggle a little which is why I would like to either do a turbo engine conversion, I just that extra 40Kw would do wonders to help tow and make drivability much easier.
Syndicate
99+ 2.0 Grand Vitara
Have you considered the 98~05 SQ420 Suzuki Grand Vitara (the one with the 2.0 four cylinder engine) ?
Slightly larger & definitely more comfortable than your present Vitara, with about 25% more power, and waaay easier to get parts for (both standard replacement & suspension upgrades, etc.) than a Pajero iO. As an added avantage - many of the "goodies" that may be fitted to your present Vitara can be transferred - springs, shocks & struts, possibly locking differentials.
Don't get me wrong - I have an iO and enjoy driving it - but the never ending hunt for parts can be a little tiring, and yes, I also have a 2.0 Grand Vitara.